There are still starting players available, even though the Boston Red Sox lost out on one of their top-ranked speculated free-agent targets.
Boston was supposedly in the running to sign former DeNA BayStars ace Shōta Imanaga, but the Chicago Cubs made a move Tuesday night and won the deal.
Fortunately for the Red Sox, several pitchers remain in the market who could contribute to strengthening the team’s rotation. Either Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery may be readily acquired by Boston if it chose to spend heavily. The Red Sox, however, have made it apparent that they do not want to spend heavily this offseason.
However, there are also other depth possibilities that have potential and could be useful. According to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, former Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger is one player that is apparently interested in perhaps joining the Red Sox.
“Per source: Interesting free agent option – based on second half performance – Mike Clevinger has made it clear that Boston is one of his preferred landing spots,” Bradford stated.
Despite not being the most well-known player in the market, Clevinger has seven big-league seasons under his belt and a career 3.45 ERA. The 33-year-old pitched for the White Sox during the 2023 season, recording a 3.77 ERA in 24 starts with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 110 to 40.
Boston has a great deal of work ahead of it. One of the worst baseball rotations was the Red Sox’s from the previous season. In the offseason, Boston signed Lucas Giolito, but they also traded Chris Sale, and James Paxton is probably headed out of town in free agency.